Strong petrol smell

chillyphil · 6th October 2019, 16:40

Hi All,

Out yesterday in the ZT-T 190+

Noticed a strong smell of petrol inside.

Checked the petrol can in the boot, it's ok.

Can't see any petrol or strong petrol smell under the bonnet.

This morning no petrol smell inside, slightly slower to start on the ignition, then smell returns.

Any thoughts on how to diagnose the problem or pointers on the likely direction of the problem?

Phil

Yorkshire GOC · 6th October 2019, 16:51

Check the breather pipes under the engine cover they become brittle and fail -

.

chillyphil · 6th October 2019, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkshire GOC

Check the breather pipes under the engine cover they become brittle and fail -

.

Havnt done that before, are the under the plastic manifold cover?

T-Cut · 7th October 2019, 14:41

I believe so. This might help.

The usual failure point is the plastic T-piece. If so, just replace that with a suitable part from eBay (aquarium supplies for example).

TC

grout20 · 7th October 2019, 16:45

Hello Phil

Last year on my V6 I had a petrol leak when one of the "O" rings on the end of the front fuel started weeping when the engine was running (ie the fuel system was at full pressure)

In my case it was the front rail, left hand side as you look under the bonnet, ie between the alternator and you looking at the engine. It was obvious ... I could see petrol dripping!

However, you did say no smell under your bonnet so it's probably not that. But have a look along the fuel rails for weeping petrol when the engine is running just to check. Turn off if you see some!

The other place I've had a problem when I first bought the car was the rubber seal where the fuel pump fits into the fuel tank, under the rear seat behind the drivers seat, had not been fitted properly by the previous owner. That allowed fumes to enter the cabin.

There is a similar seal for the filter under the rear seat behind the passenger seat. If either have been disturbed in the past then that may be your problem?

Try searching the Forum for posts / pictures on this.

Sorry for the long post. Hope this helps and you get sorted.

Cheers

John

chillyphil · 8th October 2019, 10:44

Thanks Cyrano and John,

That gives me a great starting point.

I'll get into it on the weekend.

T-Cut · 8th October 2019, 17:45

The in=tank pump and filter module/regulator seals are the same. Here's one:

The filter module seal in petrol models (LHS) often gets misfitted after work has been done to fix FFS (Fuel Filter Syndrome) in later models. The seals have to be fitted in a specific way to avoid leaks. These are often noticed after filling up with petrol, when sloshing in the tank causes petrol to flood onto the top of the tank. It's first noticed by a smell of petrol around the rear wheel arches.

TC

chillyphil · 8th October 2019, 19:55

Thanks for that Cyrano,

I'll have go at the weekend, I'll start under the bonnet first, probably easier than man handling the back seat out.

Do you know if the back seat base removal is the same on the tourer as the saloon?

I've done a saloon before, but not a tourer.

Phil

T-Cut · 8th October 2019, 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by chillyphil

Do you know if the back seat base removal is the same on the tourer as the saloon?

I've no idea, but tourer rear seats are frequenly discussed so a Google search may find what you need.

TC

Comfortably Numb · 8th October 2019, 22:51

I had this problem when I first bought my CDT. No smell, but diesel started running around my feet when I first filled it to brim full. Previous owner's "mechanic" son had fitted a new ITP, and pushed half the gasket inside the tank.

6th October 2019, 16:40	#1
chillyphil Gets stuck in MGZT-T Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Paignton Posts: 618 Thanks: 278 Thanked 90 Times in 72 Posts	Strong petrol smell Hi All, Out yesterday in the ZT-T 190+ Noticed a strong smell of petrol inside. Checked the petrol can in the boot, it's ok. Can't see any petrol or strong petrol smell under the bonnet. This morning no petrol smell inside, slightly slower to start on the ignition, then smell returns. Any thoughts on how to diagnose the problem or pointers on the likely direction of the problem? Phil

6th October 2019, 16:51	#2
Yorkshire GOC I really should get out more....... Rover 75 connoisseur se v6 auto Join Date: May 2014 Location: Hull Posts: 2,063 Thanks: 1,842 Thanked 623 Times in 469 Posts	Check the breather pipes under the engine cover they become brittle and fail - . __________________ She came off the Longbridge Line on 20-05-2003 The Silver Machine was the 13th of 160 Rover 75's to come off the production line that day and is the 100th of 527 Starlight Silver Rover 75 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE Auto saloons listed in the build records produced world wide.

7th October 2019, 14:41	#4
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,752 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	I believe so. This might help. The usual failure point is the plastic T-piece. If so, just replace that with a suitable part from eBay (aquarium supplies for example). TC Last edited by T-Cut; 7th October 2019 at 14:44..

7th October 2019, 16:45	#5
grout20 Gets stuck in Rover 75 Connie SE 2.5 V6 Auto Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Stevenage Posts: 619 Thanks: 619 Thanked 253 Times in 182 Posts	Hello Phil Last year on my V6 I had a petrol leak when one of the "O" rings on the end of the front fuel started weeping when the engine was running (ie the fuel system was at full pressure) In my case it was the front rail, left hand side as you look under the bonnet, ie between the alternator and you looking at the engine. It was obvious ... I could see petrol dripping! However, you did say no smell under your bonnet so it's probably not that. But have a look along the fuel rails for weeping petrol when the engine is running just to check. Turn off if you see some! The other place I've had a problem when I first bought the car was the rubber seal where the fuel pump fits into the fuel tank, under the rear seat behind the drivers seat, had not been fitted properly by the previous owner. That allowed fumes to enter the cabin. There is a similar seal for the filter under the rear seat behind the passenger seat. If either have been disturbed in the past then that may be your problem? Try searching the Forum for posts / pictures on this. Sorry for the long post. Hope this helps and you get sorted. Cheers John __________________ . My 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE Auto 75 is the • 20,516th 75 to be made out of 112,381 • 787th 2.5 V6 Connoisseur SE to be made out of 3,671 • 1,248th Wedgwood Blue Metallic (code: JBH) to be made out of 7,515 code JBH 75's

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8th October 2019, 10:44	#6
chillyphil Gets stuck in MGZT-T Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Paignton Posts: 618 Thanks: 278 Thanked 90 Times in 72 Posts	Thanks Cyrano and John, That gives me a great starting point. I'll get into it on the weekend.

8th October 2019, 17:45	#7
T-Cut This is my second home Rover75 and Mreg Corsa. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sumweer onat mote o'dust (Sagin) Posts: 21,752 Thanks: 341 Thanked 3,660 Times in 2,924 Posts	The in=tank pump and filter module/regulator seals are the same. Here's one: The filter module seal in petrol models (LHS) often gets misfitted after work has been done to fix FFS (Fuel Filter Syndrome) in later models. The seals have to be fitted in a specific way to avoid leaks. These are often noticed after filling up with petrol, when sloshing in the tank causes petrol to flood onto the top of the tank. It's first noticed by a smell of petrol around the rear wheel arches. TC

8th October 2019, 19:55	#8
chillyphil Gets stuck in MGZT-T Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Paignton Posts: 618 Thanks: 278 Thanked 90 Times in 72 Posts	Thanks for that Cyrano, I'll have go at the weekend, I'll start under the bonnet first, probably easier than man handling the back seat out. Do you know if the back seat base removal is the same on the tourer as the saloon? I've done a saloon before, but not a tourer. Phil

8th October 2019, 22:51	#10
Comfortably Numb Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Penrith Posts: 1,336 Thanks: 165 Thanked 303 Times in 241 Posts	I had this problem when I first bought my CDT. No smell, but diesel started running around my feet when I first filled it to brim full. Previous owner's "mechanic" son had fitted a new ITP, and pushed half the gasket inside the tank.